Loose material packing and dispensing device and related methods

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a propel/repel based loose material dispensing device, a hollow body, a movable platform, and a threaded shaft. The hollow body houses leafy material stored therein and comprises a dispensing opening at one end to dispense the leafy material. The movable platform is housed within the hollow body and may be used to dispense/move leafy material stored within the hollow body as well as compress it. The threaded shaft is operable to removably interface with the movable platform via an adjustable connection that enables a user to adjust the position of the movable platform via a rotatable base at one end of the shaft. The threaded shaft may also be removed from said movable platform and utilized as a packing tool to compress leafy material stored within the tube.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to products comprised of loose material,such as those derived from ground or loose plant and leafy material suchas herbs, hemp, or tobacco, herein after referred to as leafy material.Of particular interest are ingredients or components obtained or derivedfrom plants or portions of plants, as well as the containers suitablefor containing formulations incorporating such ingredients or componentsfor subsequent dispensation to and by a user.

DISCUSSION OF THE BACKGROUND

Propel/repel based dispensers have various structures that are generallyuseful for dispensing various products, including lip balms, lipsticks,deodorants, and the like. In a typical screw-operated propel/repeldispenser, the material is stored within a chamber or body, such as acylindrical tube, and is supported by an internally threaded platform. Arotatable threaded screw extends longitudinally inside the barrel andengages the elevator. The screw has a control knob located at anon-dispensing end of the barrel that determines the elevator'sposition. When the knob is turned, the screw is rotated inside thebarrel, causing the elevator to travel longitudinally and push thematerial out of the barrel's opposite (dispensing) end.

While this is more than sufficient for the application of cosmetics thislikes, a functional niche is created and unfulfilled by such propel forthe dispensing of leafy material. For the dispensing of leafy material,such as herbs, hemp products, or tobacco, it may be desirable tocompress the material to a particular density before beingdispensed/consumed. Typical dispensers, operable to dispense leafymaterial, have no built-in mechanisms for leafy material compaction andrequire the leafy material to be compacted to the user's preference inadvance or an additional tool (i.e. a packing tool) for the compactionof leafy material. For example, the user would require a packing tool ora thin rod-like object operable to fit within the dispenser to prod theleafy material stored therein to compress the leafy material to theirliking. Thus, there remains a need for a leafy material dispenseroperable to enable a user to dispense leafy material and compress iteasily.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a propel/repel based dispensing devicefor leafy materials, hereinafter referred to as the dispenser,comprising a hollow cylindrical tube, a movable platform, and a threadedshaft. The hollow cylindrical tube, hereinafter referred to as the tube,may be used as a chamber to house loose material (e.g., ground and/orshredded leafy material such as herbs, tobacco, or hemp materials),store compacted material, and provide an opening at one end to dispensethe leafy/compacted material. The movable platform is housed within thehollow cylindrical tube and may be used to dispense leafy materialstored within the tube as well as compress it. The threaded shaft isoperable to removably interface with the movable platform via anadjustable connection that enables a user to adjust the position of themovable platform via a rotatable base at one end of the shaft. Thethreaded shaft may also be removed from said movable platform andutilized as a packing tool to compress leafy material stored within thetube.

In some embodiments, the tube comprises a generally cylindrical shapewith one end for dispensing leafy material stored therein and anotherend for moving/compressing leafy material. However, other embodimentsmay comprise any shape operable to store, compress, and dispense leafymaterial, including a triangular prism, rectangular prism, pentagonalprism, or other prism shapes. The size of the tube may depend on theprimary function of the dispenser, wherein different diameters andlengths correspond to different primary functions of the tube. Forexample, the tube may have a smaller diameter, within the range of about0.5 cm to about 3 cm (e.g. 0.5 cm, 1 cm, and 2.5 cm), for an embodimentwherein the primary function is to fit within a small confined space(i.e. pocket-sized). As another example, the tube may have a largerdiameter, within the range of about 5 cm to about 10 cm (e.g. 6 cm, 7.5cm, and 10 cm), for an embodiment wherein the primary function is to fita large amount of leafy material (i.e. storage-sized). As yet anotherexample, the tube may have a medium-sized diameter, within the range ofabout 2.5 cm to about 5 cm, for an embodiment that optimizes the size ofthe dispenser as well as the amount of leafy material the tube may store(e.g., travel-sized). For embodiments wherein the dispenser does nothave a cylindrical shape, for example a box with a square cross-section,the primary function of the dispenser may correspond to thecross-sectional area of the dispenser. For example, a pocket-sizedcylindrical embodiment may have a diameter of about 2 cm, and thecorresponding pocket-sized box embodiment may have a squarecross-section with a side length of about 1.77 cm. Both types ofpocket-sized embodiments may have a cross-sectional surface area ofabout 3.14 sq cm. Similarly, the height of the dispenser may be withinthe range of about 3 cm to about 15 cm (e.g. 4 cm, 8 cm, and 15 cm) andmay depend on the primary function of the dispenser.

In some embodiments, the tube, the movable platform, and the threadedshaft may primarily be comprised of plastic components, such aslow-density polyethylene, linear low-density polyethylene, mediumdensity polyethylene, polypropylene, acrylic or a mixture thereof, thetube may be comprised of any material rigid enough to maintain a rigidstructure that may be utilized to compress leafy material includingmaterials comprised of glass or metallic compositions. The materialutilized for the dispenser may also depend on the primary function. Forexample, for storage, the dispenser may be primarily comprised ofaluminum to provide a structure that's both rigid and durable forlong-term use. As another example, for a pocket-sized embodiment, thedispenser may be comprised of a polypropylene material that is rigid forleafy material compression and disposable/recyclable after use.

The present invention comprises a threaded shaft operable to form anadjustable connection with the movable platform housed within the tube.The threaded shaft may comprise an end with a rotatable base, an endwith a grip that enables a user to easily rotate the shaft. Therotatable base may have a shape that complements the tube'scross-section, generally circular or disc-like, with texturing, knurlingor a pattern that enables a user to easily grab the rotatable base andturn it to rotate the shaft. If the threaded shaft is connected to themovable platform, the shaft may shift/propel the position of the movableplatform such that it's closer to one end of the tube. For example, aclockwise rotation may shift the movable platform closer to the firstend of the tube, corresponding to the dispensing opening, while acounterclockwise rotation may shift the movable platform closer to thesecond end of the tube.

The threaded shaft of the dispenser may also be removed from the movableplatform and/or the tube, enabling a user to utilize it as a packingtool, a tool to compress leafy material within the tube. In suchembodiments, the threaded shaft may comprise a rotatable base on thefirst end, and a packing tip optimized for compaction of herb on thesecond end. In some embodiments, the packing tip may simply comprise thetip of the shaft that tapers from the threading into a fine point thatmay be utilized to prod and pack leafy material within the tube. In suchembodiments, the leafy material may be prodded until the material iscompressed to the user's preference (e.g., thoroughly compressed). Inother embodiments, the shaft may have a flat or rounded tip thatmaximizes the surface area of the packing tip to maximize the amount ofherb that may be compressed every time the leafy material within thetube is prodded. In such embodiments, the packing tip may not protrudepast the maximum diameter of the shaft (excluding the rotatable base).However, in other embodiments, the packing tip may protrude past themaximum diameter of the shaft, to increase the amount of leafy materialthat is compressed. In some embodiments, the packing tip may also beremovable from the threaded shaft, enabling the packing tip to beremoved when the threaded shaft is connected to the movable platform andattached when the threaded shaft is being utilized as a packing tool.

The present invention comprises a movable platform that may be utilizedto move, dispense, or compress leafy material stored within the tube.The movable platform may be removably connected to the threaded shaftvia an adjustable connection that may be used to adjust the position ofthe movable platform. In some embodiments, the adjustable connectioncomprises a threaded opening on the movable platform that has threadingcomplementary to the threading on said threaded shaft, enabling themovable platform to shift in position within the tube when the threadedshaft is rotated. The movable platform may have a shape that'scomplementary to the cross-section of the tube and approximately thesame size. For example, for a hollow cylindrical tube embodiment whereinthe outer diameter is approximately 1 cm and an inner diameter ofapproximately 0.95 cm, the movable platform may have a circular shapewith a diameter of approximately 0.94 cm.

In some embodiments, the inner surface of the tube may comprise a track,and the outer rim/edge of the movable platform may comprise a trackinterface, enabling the movable platform to smoothly glide along thetrack when being adjusted by the threaded shaft. For example, the tubemay have a track comprising a ridge inwardly protruding from the innersurface of the tube and parallel to the threaded shaft. In such anexample, the movable platform may have a track interface comprising anindented edge complementary to the track of the tube such that themovable platform may snuggly fit within the tube but still smoothlyglide along the track when the threaded shaft is rotated. In someembodiments, the movable platform may also be structured complimentaryto the tube, enabling it to easily scoop or hold leafy material withinthe tube while being moved. For example, the movable platform may have asimilar hollow cylindrical shape, corresponding with the size and shapeof the interior of the tube, with a platform operable to removablyconnect with the threaded shaft and hold leafy material as it moves. Insuch embodiments, the structure of the movable platform may also act asguide for the movable platform, limiting the movement of the movableplatform within the tube.

In some embodiments, the tube's second end may comprise a securingmechanism, operable to removably connect said threaded shaft to thetube. In some embodiments, the securing mechanism may simply comprise aslotted opening comprising a shape that complements the base of thethreaded shaft such that it may have a snap fit when secured. In someembodiments, the securing mechanism may be operable to seal the tube'ssecond end, wherein the dispenser may be sealed when the threaded shaftis secured within the slotted opening. In some embodiments, thedispenser further comprises a slotted cap, operable to seal the slottedopening without inserting the threaded shaft. In such embodiments, thebase of the threaded shaft may comprise a portion absent of threadingand a protruding shape that complements the slotted opening such thatthe threaded shaft snaps into place when secured by said slottedopening.

In some embodiments, the dispenser further comprises a cap operable toseal the dispensing opening of the tube. In such embodiments, the capmay have a predetermined volume, enabling the cap to function as ameasuring tool to dispense/transport a predetermined amount of leafymaterial. In such embodiments, the length of the cap may be within therange of about 0.5 cm to about 5 cm, depending on the primaryfunctionality and/or the desired predetermined volume. For example, thelength of a cap may be approximately 1.25 cm for a pocket-sizedembodiment. In some embodiments, the current invention may provide aplurality of caps of different lengths, enabling a user to pick the capthat can hold their preferred amount of leafy material. In someembodiments, the cap may be used to provide a rigid surface such thatthe movable platform may compress leafy material by pushing it againstthe cap's inner surface. For example, the user may fill the tube withleafy material and seal the dispensing end with the cap. The user mayrotate the knob, thereby turning the threaded shaft such that themovable platform advances towards the dispensing end, causing the leafymaterial to compress between the movable platform and the cap's innersurface. Alternatively, the user may simply press any rigid surfaceagainst the dispensing end such that it seals it to compress the leafymaterial in the same manner. For example, the user may simply presstheir finger against the dispensing opening to form a rigid surface androtate the threaded shaft to propel the movable platform to thedispensing opening, compressing the leafy material between the movableplatform and the user's finger.

In some embodiments, the present invention may further comprise a matchsleeve that envelops the outer surface of the tube, comprising a matchholder and a striking surface to light matches. The match holder maycomprise any mechanism operable to temporarily secure at least one matchto the match sleeve, including pockets, pouches, rings/loops, ties,hook-and-loops, adhesives, or a combination thereof. For example, thematch holder may comprise a pocket operable to hold a plurality ofmatches, with an opening comprised of a hook-and-loop system such thatthe match holder can be easily accessed and closed. In another example,wherein the match sleeve is comprised of elastic material, the matchholder may comprise a plurality of loops protruding from the matchsleeve that may expand in size and contract around a match to secure itin place.

It is an aspect of the present invention, to provide a propel/repelbased loose material dispensing device comprising: a hollow cylindricaltube operable to store and dispense leafy material comprising adispensing opening at a first end of the hollow cylindrical tube; amovable platform operable to move and dispense leafy material storedwithin the hollow cylindrical rube; and a threaded shaft operable toform an adjustable connection with the movable platform and comprising arotatable base at a first end of the threaded shaft that may be operableto rotate the threaded shaft thereby adjusting the position of themovable platform, the threaded shaft operable to be disconnected fromthe hollow cylindrical tube such that the threaded shaft can be used tocompact leafy material in the hollow cylindrical tube. The threadedshaft may be operable to be removed from the movable platform andfunction as a packing tool to compress leafy material stored within thehollow cylindrical tube. The second end of the threaded shaft may befurther comprising a packing tip optimized for compaction of leafymaterial stored within the hollow cylindrical tube. The adjustableconnection may comprise a threaded opening on the movable platform withthreading that complements threading on the threaded shaft such that themovable platform is operable to move along the threading of the shaftwhen the rotatable base is rotated. The second end of the hollowcylindrical tube comprises a securing mechanism operable to removablyconnect the threaded shaft to the hollow cylindrical tube. The securingmechanism may be operable to seal the second end of the hollowcylindrical tube. The securing mechanism may include a slot openinghaving a shape complementary to the base of the threaded shaft such thatthe threaded shaft may be secured and removed from the slotted openingwith the application of force on the threaded shaft. The movableplatform may be operable to compress the leafy material when a rigidsurface seals the dispensing opening. The hollow cylindrical tubefurther comprises a cap operable to interface with and seal thedispensing opening of the hollow cylindrical tube. The movable platformmay be operable to compress leafy material when the movable platform ismoved closer to the dispensing opening when the cap is secured to thedispensing opening. The cap may be operable to transport a predeterminedamount of compressed loose material from the hollow cylindrical tube.The hollow cylindrical tube comprises a plurality of caps of varioussizes to enable a user to transport a desired amount of compressed loosematerial by selecting a cap of the appropriate size. The inner surfaceof the hollow cylindrical tube may include a track, and the movableplatform may include an edge complementary to the track such that themovable platform is operable to move along the track when the threadedshaft is rotated. The loose material dispenser may include a matchsleeve wrapped around the outer surface of the hollow cylindrical tubecomprising a striking surface and a match holder operable to hold atleast one match.

It is a further aspect of the present invention to include, a loosematerial dispensing device comprising: a hollow body operable to storeand dispense leafy material including a dispensing opening at a firstend and a slot collar on a second end opposite to said first end; amovable platform having threading at the center of the platform andbeing operable to linearly translate and dispense leafy material storedwithin the hollow body; a cap operable to seal and store the leafymaterial in the hollow body at the dispensing opening of the hollowbody; and a translation mechanism including a threaded shaft connectedto a rigid base with a wedge connector therebetween that may be operableto temporarily secure the translation mechanism to the hollow bodythrough the slot collar. The translation mechanisms threaded shaft mayengage with the moveable platform threading and may allow a user torotate the rigid base, thereby linearly advancing the moveable platformand dispensing the leafy material. The hollow body may further includeat least one linear guide protruding out from an interior surface alonga length of the hollow body. The movable platform may further include aguide positioned on an exterior surface of the movable platform andhaving a geometry substantially complementary to the hollow body linearguide. The translation mechanism may be operable to compress the leafymaterial against an upper interior surface of said cap. The wedgeconnector may be operable to disengage the translation mechanism fromthe hollow body while the moveable platform is secured to the threadedshaft and may be operable to be used as a compression surface forpacking the leafy material. The hollow body may further include alocking interface on an exterior surface of the hollow body and may beadjacent to the dispensing end and includes a plurality of cam pathsoperable to secure said cap. The cap includes a plurality of followersoperable to slidably engage with the plurality of cam paths and may beextruded from an interior surface perimeter of the cap. The cap includesa dampener at said upper interior surface and said interior surfaceperimeter that is operable to engage and temporarily compress against aperimeter edge of the hollow body dispensing end when a user is securingor removing the cap. The hollow body has a substantially rectangularexterior surface. The hollow body has a substantially circular exteriorsurface.

Further aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those having skillin the art from the description and disclosure provided herein.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a system forstoring, dispensing, and compacting leafy material in a compact form.

It is to be understood that variations, modifications, and permutationsof embodiments of the present invention, and uses thereof, may be madewithout departing from the scope of the invention. It is also to beunderstood that the present invention is not limited by the specificembodiments, descriptions, or illustrations or combinations of eithercomponents or steps disclosed herein. The embodiments were chosen anddescribed in order to best explain the principles of the invention andits practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the artto best utilize the invention and various embodiments with variousmodifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. Althoughreference has been made to the accompanying figures, it is to beappreciated that these figures are exemplary and are not meant to limitthe scope of the invention. It is intended that the scope of theinvention be defined by the claims appended hereto and theirequivalents.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 shows an elevated exploded view of a loose material packing anddispensing device, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows an elevated perspective view of a loose material packingand dispensing device, according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 3 shows a cross sectional view of a loose material packing anddispensing device, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows an elevated side view of a loose material packing anddispensing device, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows an elevated side view of components of a loose materialpacking and dispensing device, according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 6 shows a cross sectional view of components of a loose materialpacking and dispensing device, according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 7 shows an environmental perspective of a loose material packingand dispensing device, according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 8 shows an elevated perspective view of a loose material packingand dispensing device, according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 9 shows an elevated perspective view of a loose material packingand dispensing device, according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 10 shows an elevated exploded view of a loose material packing anddispensing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 shows an elevated top view of a component of a loose materialpacking and dispensing device according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 12 shows an elevated bottom view of a component of a loose materialpacking and dispensing device according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 13 shows a cross sectional view of a loose material packing anddispensing device, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 shows an elevated top view of a component of a loose materialpacking and dispensing device according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 15 shows an elevated bottom view of a component of a loose materialpacking and dispensing device according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 16A shows a semi cross-sectional view of a loose material packingand dispensing device, according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 16B shows a semi cross-sectional view of a loose material packingand dispensing device, according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference will now be made in detail to certain embodiments of theinvention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings. While the invention will be described in reference to thesefigures and certain implementations and examples of the embodiments, itwill be understood that such implementations and examples are notintended to limit the invention. To the contrary, the invention isintended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents that areincluded within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by theclaims. In the following disclosure, specific details are given toprovide a thorough understanding of the invention. References to variousfeatures of the “present invention” throughout this document do not meanthat all claimed embodiments or methods must include the referencedfeatures. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the presentinvention may be practiced without these specific details or features.

Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference characters may be usedto designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views,and referring particularly to FIGS. 1-16B, it is seen that the presentinvention includes various embodiments of a propel and repel based loosematerial dispenser operable to compress loose leafy material to acompact state.

Without limiting the invention, FIG. 1 , an exploded view of anexemplary loose material tube dispenser according to an embodiment ofthe present invention. The dispenser may include a propel/repel-basedloose material dispensing device 100 comprising a hollow cylindricaltube 101, a movable platform 102, and a threaded shaft 103. The hollowcylindrical tube 101, hereinafter referred to as the tube or hollowbody, may be used as a chamber to house leafy material stored thereinand comprises a dispensing opening at one end for dispensing of theleafy material. As shown in FIG. 3 , a cross-sectional view of anembodiment of the present invention, the movable platform 102 is housedwithin the hollow cylindrical tube and may be used to dispense/moveleafy material stored within the tube as well as compress it. Thethreaded shaft 103 is operable to removably interface with the movableplatform 102 via an adjustable connection that enables a user to adjustthe position of the movable platform 102 via a rotatable base 131 at oneend of the shaft. The threaded shaft 103 may also be removed from saidmovable platform 102 and utilized as a packing tool to compress leafymaterial stored within the tube.

In some embodiments, such as the one shown in FIG. 2 , the dispenser 100comprises a generally cylindrical shape with one end for dispensingleafy material stored therein and another end for moving/compressingleafy material. As shown in FIG. 4 , the size of the dispenser 100 maydepend on the primary function of the dispenser, wherein differentdiameters 111 and heights 112 correspond to different primary functionsof the dispenser 100. It should be noted that while FIG. 4 exemplifiesthe dimensions of the dispenser 100, the dimensions of the dispensercorrespond directly with the dimensions of the tube 101, therefore, thefollowing examples may apply to both the dispenser 100 and the tube 101.For example, the tube 100 may have a smaller diameter 111, within therange of about 0.5 cm to about 3 cm (e.g., 0.5 cm, 1 cm, and 2.5 cm),for an embodiment wherein the primary function of the dispenser is tofit within a small confined space (i.e., pocket-sized). As anotherexample, the tube may have a larger diameter, within the range of about5 cm to about 10 cm (e.g., 6 cm, 7.5 cm, and 10 cm), for an embodimentwherein the primary function is to fit a large amount of leafy material(i.e. storage-sized). As yet another example, the tube may have amedium-sized diameter, within the range of about 2.5 cm to about 5 cm,for an embodiment that optimizes the size of the dispenser as well asthe amount of leafy material the tube may store (i.e. travel-sized).Similarly, the height 112 of the tube 101 may be within the range ofabout 3 cm to about 15 cm (e.g. 4 cm, 8 cm, and 15 cm) and may depend onthe primary function of the dispenser 100. The movable platform 102 mayhave a thickness or height ranging from about 4 mm to about 10 mmdepending on the diameter of the tube.

While in some embodiments, the tube 101, the movable platform 102, andthe threaded shaft 103 may primarily be comprised of plastic components,such as low-density polyethylene, linear low-density polyethylene,medium density polyethylene, polypropylene, acrylic or a mixturethereof, the tube may be comprised of any material rigid enough tomaintain a rigid structure that may be utilized to compress leafymaterial including materials comprised of glass or metalliccompositions. For example, as shown in FIG. 7 , for a pocket-sizedembodiment, the dispenser 100 may be comprised predominantly ofpolypropylene such that it's sufficiently rigid for loose materialcompression but may also be disposed/recycled after use.

As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 5 , the present invention comprises athreaded shaft 103 operable to form an adjustable connection with themovable platform 102 housed within the tube 101. The threaded shaft maycomprise an end with a rotatable base 131, an end with a grip thatenables a user to easily rotate the shaft. If the threaded shaft isconnected to the movable platform 102, the shaft may shift/propel theposition of the movable platform such that it's closer to one end of thetube. For example, a clockwise rotation may shift the movable platformcloser to the first end of the tube, corresponding to the dispensingopening, while a counter-clockwise rotation may shift the movableplatform closer to the second end of the tube.

As shown in FIG. 7 , the threaded shaft 103 of the dispenser 100 mayalso be removed from the movable platform 102 and/or the tube 101,enabling a user to utilize it as a packing tool, a tool to compressleafy material 105 within the tube. In such embodiments, the threadedshaft may comprise a rotatable base 131 on the first end, and a packingtip 132 optimized for compaction of leafy material 105 on the secondend. In some embodiments, the packing tip 132 may simply comprise thetip of the shaft that tapers from the threading into a fine point thatmay be utilized to prod and manipulate leafy material 105 within thetube. In such embodiments, the leafy material may be compressed with thepacking tip 132 to the user's preference (e.g., thoroughly compressed).

As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 5 , the dispenser comprises a movableplatform 102 that may be utilized to move, dispense, or compress leafymaterial stored within the tube 101. The movable platform may beremovably connected to the threaded shaft via an adjustable connection121 that may be used to adjust the position of the movable platform. Insome embodiments, the adjustable connection simply comprises a threadedopening 121 on the movable platform 102 that has threading 122complementary to the threading 133 on said threaded shaft, enabling themovable platform 102 to shift in position within the tube 101 when thethreaded shaft 103 is rotated.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3 , the inner surfaceof the tube may comprise a track 113 and the outer rim/edge of themovable platform 102 may comprise a track interface 123, enabling themovable platform to smoothly glide along the track when being adjustedby the threaded shaft and preventing rotation of the platform. Forexample, as shown in FIG. 8 , the tube 101 may have a track 113comprising a line protruding from the inner surface of the tube andparallel to the threaded shaft. In such an example, the movable platform102 may have a track interface 123 comprising an indented edgecomplementary to the track of the tube such that the movable platformmay snuggly fit within the tube but still smoothly glide along the trackwhen the threaded shaft is rotated. In some embodiments, the movableplatform may also be structured complimentary to the tube, enabling itto easily scoop or hold leafy material within the tube while beingmoved. For example, the movable platform may have a similar hollowcylindrical shape, corresponding with the size and shape of the interiorof the tube, with a platform operable to removably connect with thethreaded shaft and hold leafy material as it moves. In such embodiments,the structure of the movable platform may also act as rail guides forthe movable platform, limiting the movement of the movable platformwithin the tube.

In some embodiments, the second end of tube 101 may comprise a securingmechanism, operable to reversibly connect said threaded shaft to thetube. In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 9 , the securing mechanism114 may simply comprise a slotted opening comprising a shape thatcomplements a base shaft securement mechanism 134 of the threaded shaft103 such that it may be snap-fit when secured (see FIG. 6 ). In someembodiments, the securing mechanism 114 may be operable to seal thesecond end of the tube, wherein the dispenser is sealed when thethreaded shaft is secured within the slotted opening.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 1-4 , the dispenser may furthercomprise a cap 104 operable to seal the dispensing opening of the tube.In such embodiments, the cap may have a predetermined volume, enablingthe cap to function as a measuring tool to dispense/transport apredetermined amount of leafy material. In such embodiments, the lengthof the cap 104 may be within the range of about 0.5 cm to about 5 cm,depending on the primary functionality and/or the desired predeterminedvolume. For example, the length of a cap may be approximately 1.25 cmfor a pocket-sized embodiment. In some embodiments, the currentinvention may provide a plurality of caps of different lengths, enablinga user to pick the cap that can hold their preferred amount of leafymaterial. In some embodiments, the cap may be used to provide a rigidsurface such that the movable platform may compress leafy material bypushing it against the cap's inner surface. For example, the user mayplace leafy material within the tube, seal the dispensing end with thecap, and rotate the threaded shaft such that the movable platform ispropelled to the dispensing opening, causing the leafy material to becompressed between the movable platform and the cap's inner surface.Alternatively, the user may simply press any rigid surface against thedispensing end such that it seals it to compress the leafy material inthe same manner. For example, the user may simply press their fingeragainst the dispensing opening to form a rigid surface and rotate thethreaded shaft to propel the movable platform to the dispensing opening,compressing the leafy material between the movable platform and theuser's finger.

In some embodiments, the tube dispenser 200, may include a hollow body201, a translation mechanism 203, a movable platform 202, and a cap 204,as shown in FIG. 10 . The hollow body 201 may be substantially tubularand have a concentric collar 214 positioned near the base of the hollowbody 201, as shown in FIG. 12 . The concentric collar 214 may beoperable to removably secure a shaft 233 of the translation mechanism203. The translation mechanism 203 may include a rotatable base that isrigidly attached to the base of the shaft 233, and the shaft 233 mayhave threading that is operable to engage with the movable platform 202.The movable platform 202 may have a small thickness to increase thecompressible volume within the hollow body 201, as shown in FIG. 13 .The movable platform 202 may include a slotted guide 223 and maytranslate linearly up the hollow body 201. The slotted guide 223 mayinteract with an elongated track 213 extruded from the interior surfaceof the hollow body 201. The elongated track 213 may provide rotationalinterference of the movable platform 202 and aid in the lineartranslation of platform 202. In such embodiments, the movable platform202 provides a low-profile thickness, maximizing the compressible volumeof hollow body 201.

In some embodiments, the dispenser 200 may include a child safetylocking mechanism. In such embodiments, the hollow body 201 may includea plurality of locking interfaces 215 that engage with followers 204 sof the cap 204. FIG. 11 shows a plurality of followers 204 s thatprotrude inward from the cap interior surface and have a geometrycomplementary to the inlet of the locking interface 215. The cap 204 mayfurther have a dampening material 204 b that is operable to compressagainst a top surface of the hollow body 201, thereby requiring a userto apply constant pressure to the cap 204 to fasten and remove the cap204 to the hollow body 201. The locking interface 215 and the capfollowers 204 s may be provided as a child-proof medicine lock found inmedicine bottles.

The present invention provides a system for compressing leafy material,and the dispenser 200 may have a variable interior volume 200 c, asindicated in FIG. 13 . The variable volume 200 c may be defined by theposition of a movable platform's 202 top surface with respect to theinterior surface of the cap 204. When a user fills the hollow body 201with loose leafy material, the movable platform 202 may be configured ata lower position, where the bottom surface of the movable platform 202is positioned against the collar 214, as illustrated in FIG. 16B. Tocompact and compress the leafy material to a denser state, a user mayrotate the base 231, and the threaded shaft 233 may linearly advance themovable platform 202 up the hollow body 201. The leafy material may fillthe interior space, thereby compressing the leafy material between thecap 204 and the movable platform 202.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 14-15 , the collar 214 may have aslot 214 c that allows the translation mechanism 203 to be easilyinserted and removed from the hollow body 201. The threaded shaft 233may have a wedge member 234 that interfaces between the rotatable base131 and the distal end of the threaded shaft 133. The wedge member 234may secure the translation member 203 to the hollow body 201 through thecollar slot 214 c. In such embodiments, the threaded shaft 233 mayconfigure the moveable platform 202 at a fixed position and the wedgemember 234 may slide through the slot collar 214 c, and the moveableplatform 203 may be used as a piston and may translate back and forth tocompress the leafy material against the cap 204. The translation region200 t may be proportional to the position of the moveable platform 203and the wedge member 234 and may have a relationship with thecompression region, as shown in FIG. 16A. The translation region 200 tmay be limited to the position of the moveable platform 202 and thewedge member 234, as shown in FIG. 16B. Further, in such embodiments, auser may have the option to rotatably advance the movable platform 202or use the top surface of the movable platform 202 as a piston hammer bydisengaging the translation mechanism 203 from the hollow body 201.

In some embodiments, the base 231 may have the same diameter as theinterior surface of the hollow body 201. In such embodiments, theadvancement mechanism 203 may be operable to disengage from the movableplatform 202 when the platform is at the lower position, as shown in16B. The base 233 may be inserted into the hollow body 201, and theleafy material may be compressed against the upper surface of themovable platform 202. The threaded shaft 233 may then be fastened to themovable platform 202, and the advancement mechanism 203 may translatethe movable platform 202 to the upper position, and the wedge member 234may be resecured to the securing mechanism 214. The threaded shaft 233may have a length equal to the length of the hollow body 201, and thebase 233 may have a slot complementary to the track 113 to preventrotation of the base in the hollow body 201 and the disruption of theleafy material while being compressed.

It is to be understood that variations, modifications, and permutationsof embodiments of the present invention, and uses thereof, may be madewithout departing from the scope of the invention. It is also to beunderstood that the present invention is not limited by the specificembodiments, descriptions, or illustrations or combinations of eithercomponents or steps disclosed herein. The embodiments were chosen anddescribed in order to best explain the principles of the invention andits practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the artto best utilize the invention and various embodiments with variousmodifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. Althoughreference has been made to the accompanying figures, it is to beappreciated that these figures are exemplary and are not meant to limitthe scope of the invention. It is intended that the scope of theinvention be defined by the claims appended hereto and theirequivalents.

1. A propel/repel-based dispensing device comprising: a. a hollowcylindrical tube operable to store and dispense leafy materialcomprising a dispensing opening at a first end of said hollowcylindrical tube; b. a movable platform operable to move and dispenseleafy material stored within said hollow cylindrical rube; and c. athreaded shaft operable to form an adjustable connection with saidmovable platform and comprising a rotatable base at a first end of saidthreaded shaft operable to rotate said threaded shaft thereby adjustingthe position of said movable platform, said threaded shaft operable tobe disconnected from said hollow cylindrical tube such that the threadedshaft can be used to compact said leafy material in said hollowcylindrical tube.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein said threaded shaftis operable to be removed from said movable platform and function as apacking tool to compress leafy material stored within said hollowcylindrical tube.
 3. The device of claim 2, wherein the second end ofsaid threaded shaft further comprising a packing tip optimized forcompaction of leafy material stored within said hollow cylindrical tube.4. The device of claim 1, wherein said adjustable connection comprises athreaded opening on said movable platform with threading thatcomplements threading on said threaded shaft such that the movableplatform is operable to move along the threading of the shaft when saidrotatable base is rotated.
 5. The device of claim 1, wherein the secondend of said hollow cylindrical tube comprises a securing mechanismoperable to removably connect said threaded shaft to said hollowcylindrical tube.
 6. The device of claim 5, wherein said securingmechanism is operable to seal said second end of said hollow cylindricaltube.
 7. The device of claim 5, wherein said securing mechanism is aslot opening having a shape complementary to the base of said threadedshaft such that said threaded shaft is secured and removed from saidslotted opening with the application of force on said threaded shaft. 8.The device of claim 1, wherein said movable platform is operable tocompress said leafy material when a rigid surface seals said dispensingopening.
 9. The device of claim 1, wherein said hollow cylindrical tubefurther comprises a cap operable to interface with and seal saiddispensing opening of said hollow cylindrical tube.
 10. The device ofclaim 9, wherein said movable platform is operable to compress leafymaterial when said movable platform is moved closer to said dispensingopening when said cap is secured to said dispensing opening.
 11. Thedevice of claim 10, wherein said cap is operable to transport apredetermined amount of compressed loose material from said hollowcylindrical tube.
 12. The device of claim 11, wherein said hollowcylindrical tube comprises a plurality of caps of various sizes toenable a user to transport a desired amount of compressed loose materialby selecting a cap of the appropriate size.
 13. The device of claim 1,wherein the inner surface of said hollow cylindrical tube comprises atrack, and said movable platform comprises an edge complementary to saidtrack such that said movable platform is operable to move along saidtrack when said threaded shaft is rotated.
 14. The device of claim 1,further comprising a match sleeve wrapped around the outer surface ofsaid hollow cylindrical tube comprising a striking surface and a matchholder operable to hold at least one match.
 15. A dispensing devicecomprising: a. a hollow body operable to store and dispense leafymaterial comprising a dispensing opening at a first end and a slotcollar on a second end opposite to said first end; b. a movable platformhaving threading at the center of the platform and being operable tolinearly translate and dispense leafy material stored within said hollowbody; c. a cap operable to seal and store said leafy material in saidhollow body at said dispensing opening of said hollow body; and d. atranslation mechanism having a threaded shaft connected to a rigid basewith a wedge connector therebetween that is operable to temporarilysecure the translation mechanism to said hollow body through said slotcollar, wherein said translation mechanism threaded shaft engages withsaid moveable platform threading and allows a user to rotate said rigidbase, thereby linearly advancing said moveable platform and dispensingsaid leafy material.
 16. The device of claim 15, wherein said hollowbody further comprises at least one linear guide protruding out from aninterior surface along a length of said hollow body.
 17. The device ofclaim 15, wherein said movable platform further comprises a guidepositioned on an exterior surface of said movable platform and having ageometry substantially complementary to said hollow body linear guide.18. The device of claim 15, wherein said translation mechanism isoperable to compress said leafy material against an upper interiorsurface of said cap.
 19. The device of claim 15, wherein said wedgeconnector is operable to disengage the translation mechanism from saidhollow body while said moveable platform is secured to said threadedshaft and is operable to be used as a compression surface for packingsaid leafy material.
 20. The device of claim 15, wherein said hollowbody is further comprising a locking interface on an exterior surface ofthe hollow body and is adjacent to the dispensing end and includes aplurality of cam paths operable to secure said cap.
 21. (canceled) 22.(canceled)
 23. (canceled)
 24. (canceled)